The early morning traffic had earned the scheming Time Force officers a two hour delay in which they could read to their hearts content, but not all of them were happy with what they read.

Jen sighed and slapped Alex's arm playfully as he sulked, "oh, lighten up! At least your name ended up in the book!"

He turned to stare at her, rubbing his arm gently where she had hit him. "A pulse Jen! If I ever have the misfortune of falling back into the twenty first century again, I promise that will be the one thing Wes and Eric will be missing before I get through with them!"

Jen tried to laugh but it came out sounding more like a nervous chuckle. "See, that's what they were talking about."

His smoldering gaze told her not to push her luck any more than she already had. Instead she gave him a dazzling smile, hoping to cheer him up, but he would have none of it. Instead he chose to stare out the window at the driver in the air car beside them who was currently putting on her makeup and eating her breakfast.

"And people wonder why there are so many traffic accidents," he muttered bitterly under his breath.

"Hey, it pays our bills," said Katie from the seat behind him.

He nodded as Jen elbowed him not-so-gently in the ribs before whispering. "Behave! We're going to read some more."

"And if I don't," he asked as he met her warm chocolate gaze.

She pursed her lips and turned to stare over the back of the bench, "trust me Alexander, you don't want to know."

Alex grinned then and his dark mood suddenly lifted. "Maybe I do?"

She gave him a sideways glance before ignoring him. "You don't"

281. STOP teasing the Mystic Force rangers about the capes! It's getting old, annoying, and they have MAGIC people...meaning...they could REALLY make it look like an accident!

282. No, Ethan, you can't keep your Raptor Rider as a pet.

283. Before saying goodbye to your former mentor, make sure he's not being replaced by one who has an annoying, smartass Alpha robot with her.

284. Things that are henceforth banned before battles: Star Wars Marathons...what we do is NOT science fiction and the lightsaber battles NEED to STOP... (Dustin, Chip could have gotten seriously injured)

285. You are not Captain Kirk and the megaship is not the Enterprise! Stop it Carlos!

286. "Kiss the Girl" is now banned from all school dances! (Kira and Conner are still looking for Ethan.)

287. Do. Not. Give. Conner. Matches. (Turns out the red ranger was a little pyromaniac who tried to burn down Dr. O's house in retaliation of his treatment during the 'training session' he had with Jason. Jason was quickly called for and Conner found himself once again under his tutelage.)

288. You are not a story teller Syd. Do not start you mission reports with 'Once upon a time." (Who the hell do you think you are? Tolkien?)

289. Yes, we know Kimberly has some of the same skills as that girl in Sunnydale, but quit calling her "Kimmy the Monster Slayer"

290. Interrupting intergalactic auctions in disguise isn't usually a good idea... (Karone, there are better ways to steal things back)

291. Saying the words in the big, scary black book is never a good idea... (Not looking at anyone, Leo!)

292. You are not, I repeat, NOT, to take your game boy with you into your zords! (Ethan!)

293. Never annoy Vida she will rearrange your limbs. (Just ask Chip.)

294. Do not hold Toga Parties. (Kimberly never knew that Tommy could be so loud…or get so drunk.)

295. Red Rangers, if you even think about giving up during the final battle you will have pissed off teammates on your hands. (Ahem, Nick... And even though you gave Maddie your blanket she's still pissed that you're not back.)

296. If you value your life do NOT piss off the female staff during a base wide lock down, or during 'that time of the month.' (Jack earned himself a black eye and an amateur root canal after he made that mistake.)

297. If you have wands, please don't refer yourself as a certain wizard from Britain well all know and love. (Chip somehow got slapped with a disclaimer.)

298. Agree to disagree. Never make the mistake of disagreeing with a woman no matter what color she wears. Chances are she knows far too much about you that could 'accidentally' be revealed.

299. 'Fine' is not how you answer the doctor's questions! (The doctors in the Lightspeed's infirmary still shake their heads in despair at that word. Fine was how the rangers described themselves, even when they were bleeding to death.)

300. It never fails to get an evil villain talking about his evil plans. It gives you time to think up and perform your escape plan (Hey! Talk to Tommy's brother David, it works.)

------

Tommy crossed his arms and stared at the floor as Jason paced by the window.

"Stop it," he said in a low voice. "You're making me dizzy."

Jason turned to look at his friend, his face unreadable. "What are we going to tell his parents?"

"We," asked Tommy, "what we?" It was you."

"Man, that's not even funny."

Tommy stood as a doctor motioned to him, "actually Jase, I see nothing funny about any of this."

The former red ranger shrugged, "it wasn't funny when I walked outside one nice spring morning and saw my Harley painted hot pink either."

Tommy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he chose his next words carefully. "This is different Jase. Conner broke his leg; he could be permanently crippled for life!"

Jason shook his head, "I think you are overreacting here. He'll be in a cast for about 8 weeks, but he'll heal and be as good as new."

"And what if he isn't," Tommy shot back, "what if his leg doesn't heal right, or there is something seriously wrong. He's an athlete; soccer is his key into college, what if he can't play anymore? It'll be all you're fault."

Jason's eyebrows shot up, "my fault," he repeated slowly.

"Our fault," amended Tommy quickly, but the damage was already done.

"I see," was all that Jason said before turning to stare out the window again, pretending that Tommy wasn't even there.

-----

Conner watched the pretty little nurse's every movement. She smiled at him as she picked up a needle that was big enough to have its own zip code, and Conner felt his blood turn to ice. He hated needles and that one looked like it was going to hurt, badly.

"You know what," he said suddenly, getting the stupid impulse to try and stand. "I'm fine. Really, see." He felt pain explode in his leg as stars danced before his eyes. "No need for that," he gasped as she neared him and stuck the cold steel to his skin.

It burned through his veins like liquid fire and he had to grasp the table to keep from crying out in pain as she injected it into his arm. When his vision cleared and he was once again able to look her in the eye, he smiled weakly. "Thanks for that."

She patted his leg, "No problem, hon."

After a few moments she left him alone, telling him that the doctor would be by shortly and instructing him that he was not to move. He nodded and was disappointed when she disappeared around the corner. However, the time alone gave him time to plot his sweet revenge on Jason and the good Dr. O and by the time the doctor arrived to see him, he had a huge smile on his face, and a sparkle in his eye that gave the doctor chills. Not to mention he had a plan that would have Tommy and Jason wishing they had never crossed paths.

Oh yes, the next eight weeks or so were looking very bright for Conner McKnight.

You know you want to push that little purple button and make me smile. Keep the suggestions coming too. You guys are the greatest! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, I hope I haven't disappointed anyone : )